Ohio State running game vs. Florida run defense: RB Antonio Pittman might be the most overlooked player in America. Despite back-to-back
1,000-yard rushing campaigns, he's almost an afterthought because of Ohio State's explosive passing game. Pittman has good power, better speed than
many think and the ability to rip off long runs. If he needs a break, the Buckeyes - who averaged 180.1 rushing yards per game - can bring in highly-touted
freshman Chris Wells (567 rushing yards). Subbing Wells for Pittman is like switching from a Mercedes to a BMW (or vice versa). Ohio State rushed for
more than 200 yards four times this season and exceeded 180 in five of its last six games. No opposing back managed 100 yards rushing against Florida,
and only three teams did. The Gators, ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense, even held Arkansas' Darren McFadden - the Heisman Trophy runner-up -
to 73 yards rushing in the SEC title game. The Gators have a dominant line led by Ray McDonald and Jarvis Moss, while LBs Earl Everett and Brandon Siler are big, fast and each have more than 70 tackles. Edge: Florida.

Ohio State passing game vs. Florida pass defense: Heisman Trophy-winning QB Troy Smith has thrown for three TDs or more six times this
season. He has thrown only six interceptions, but he has been picked off in each of the last three games. Smith plays at his best in the biggest games:
316 yards and four TDs against Michigan, 186 yards and four TDs against Iowa and 269 yards and two TDs against Texas. Fleet WR Ted Ginn Jr. is the
Buckeyes' most dangerous deep threat, but Anthony Gonzalez actually has a higher average per catch (14.8 yards). Gonzalez's eight TD grabs are just one fewer than Ginn. Brian Robiskie (29 catches), the Buckeyes' third option, would be the primary target on many teams. The Buckeyes have allowed just 14 sacks all season, and that's at least partially explained by Smith's speed and mobility. However, it's also a result of having an enormous and
experienced offensive line. Gators cornerback Ryan Smith has eight interceptions and Reggie Nelson has six, but at times this season Florida has had
issues in pass defense. UF opponents have completed 54.1 percent of their passes. The Gators have allowed six teams to throw for more than 200 yards,
but have given up just 10 touchdown passes. Derrick Harvey has posted eight of Florida's 29 sacks and Moss has 5½.Edge: Ohio State

Florida running game vs. Ohio State run defense: The Gators don't have an overpowering running game, but it's more effective than some may realize. Florida has rushed for more than 200 yards four times this season, including twice in the last three regular season games. The Gators ran for 202 yards against Arkansas in the SEC championship game. Freshman Percy Harvin – Rivals.com's No. 1 recruit in 2006 - led the way with 105 yards
rushing. Five different players have led the Gators in rushing this season. RB DeShawn Wynn leads the team with 630 yards, but was slowed by injury
midway through the season and rushed for just 40 yards combined in the last three games. Harvin, a receiver who will be moved in and out of the
backfield, has emerged as the primary rushing threat. Backup QB Tim Tebow usually is looking to run when he comes in for starter Chris Leak. In August
run defense appeared an area in which Ohio State would be vulnerable, and that seemed to be reinforced when Northern Illinois and Texas rushed for more
than 150 yards against the Buckeyes. However, since then only one opponent – Bowling Green? – has run for more than 150 against Ohio State. The
Buckeyes held seven foes to fewer than 100 yards rushing. Michigan's Mike Hart did rush for 142 in the regular season finale. All-American DT Quinn Pitcock and DT David Patterson are effective at clogging run lanes inside, and MLB James Laurinaitis won the Nagurski Award in his first season as a starter. Edge: Ohio State.

Florida passing game vs. Ohio State pass defense:Dallas Baker (56 catches for 897 yards) and Andre Caldwell (55 catches for 571 yards) form one of the country's best receiving tandems, but the Gators' receiving threats don't stop there. Jemalle Cornelius, TE Cornelius Ingram and Harvin all have at least 25 catches, too. QB Chris Leak has completed 62.9 percent of his attempts this season and has thrown 22 TDs, but has also been intercepted
13 times. Still, he's cool under pressure and led the Gators to come-from-behind victories over Tennessee and Alabama. Florida QBs have gotten solid
protection all season behind a line that has allowed 22 sacks in 13 games. Ohio State has recorded 37 sacks in 12 games with Pitcock and DE Vernon Gholston combining for 15½. Opponents have completed 57.1 percent of their passes against the Buckeyes, but have managed only eight TDs. However, the Buckeyes allowed more than 200 yards passing in three of their last five games Laurinaitis leads with five interceptions, but CB Malcolm Jenkins has four and the Buckeyes have 21 overall.Edge: Florida.

Ohio State coaches vs. Florida coaches: Florida's Urban Meyer and Ohio State's Jim Tressel are both in their sixth years as Division I-A head coaches, and both have reached 60 victories. Meyer is 60-12 and 3-0 in bowl games. Prior to arriving in Gainesville, he led Utah to an undefeated season
and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Under Meyer, Florida is 8-3 against ranked opponents. Tressel, who is 197-70-2 in his career which also
includes 15 seasons at Youngstown State, is 25-7 against ranked teams and is 4-1 in bowl games at Ohio State. Of course, that includes the 2003 Fiesta
Bowl in which the Buckeyes defeated Miami for the national championship. Tressel's Ohio State teams have won three Big Ten championships and three
teams have finished in the top five.
Edge: Ohio State.

Ohio State will win if: Florida has the best secondary Ohio State has faced this season, so RB Antonio Pittman could emerge as a key figure for
the Buckeyes. If Pittman rushes for significant yardage, Florida safeties Reggie Nelson and Tony Joiner may be forced to come up to the line of
scrimmage in run support. If that happens, Heisman-winning QB Troy Smith will find receivers Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez in one-on-one
matchups, and they usually win those. The Buckeyes defense need to get a consistent rush on Florida QB Chris Leak. The Buckeyes must also avoid big
turnovers. A game of field position favors Ohio State, which has a superior kicking game.

Florida will win if: Preventing Smith from finishing off his outstanding season will likely require creativity from the Gators defense, which will likely
disguise and change coverages in an attempt to confuse him. The Gators also need to mount a strong pass rush with their front four, so that they won't
have to blitz to pressure Smith. They must also try to keep Smith, who is capable of running for big yardage, in the pocket. Leak has an advantage with
receivers Dallas Baker and Andre Caldwell against the Ohio State secondary, but he'll need time to throw in order to capitalize on that advantage. The
Gators' running game won't scare Ohio State, so don't be surprised if Florida tries a trick play or two.

Worth noting: Ohio State is seeking its second national championship under coach Jim Tressel. It also won in 2002 when it defeated Miami in
Tempe, Ariz. … QB Troy Smith is 25-2 as a starter and is 10-1 against nationally ranked teams. He set a school record with 30 TD passes this season.
His 54 TD passes are just three shy of the school record. … Pittman is the first Buckeye to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Eddie
George (1994-95), and joins George, Archie Griffin, Tim Spencer and Keith Byars as the only Buckeyes to accomplish that feat. … All but six of
Gonzalez's 49 receptions have resulted in first downs or touchdowns. … Ohio State boasts a 19-game winning streak, which is the nation's longest. …
Florida, which played the nation's most difficult schedule, is 4-1 against ranked opponents this season. … Twice this season Florida has come back from
10-point deficits to win, having rallied to beat Tennessee and Alabama. … The Gators' big play offense has produced 74 plays that have gained 20 yards
or more … CB Ryan Smith and FS Reggie Nelson have combined for 14 interceptions, which is the most of any duo in the nation. … Leak has set a
Florida record with 11,000 career passing yards.